One of 2 suspects wanted in connection with Sioux Falls double murder found in Minnesota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—One of the suspects accused of being connected to a double murder in Sioux Falls has been arrested in neighboring Minnesota.

Sioux Falls police reported Thursday night, Jan. 11, that Maria Shantel LeClaire, wanted on a $500,000 cash bond for being an accessory to first-degree robbery, was found in eastern Minnesota in the city of Red Wing.

Police said a citizen saw the 27-year-old Leclaire and notified local law enforcement. She was taken into custody without any problems and is being held at the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office.

Police are still following up on various tips to find Manuel Jesus Frias, 34, who is wanted on a $1 million cash bond for first-degree murder.

Frias is accused of firing the shots that killed two men in northern Sioux Falls early Friday morning, Jan. 5. Police believe there was a drug deal that was going to happen and one tried to rob the other — then the shooting began.

Killed in the shooting were Samuel Louis Crockett, 28, and Corey James Zephier, 30. Zephier is from Sioux Falls, while Crockett is from another southeast South Dakota town, Tyndall.

Police say they believe Frias is armed and dangerous. The public is urged to call 911 if they see him.

Also charged in the case was Crystal Habben, who is being held on a $50,000 cash bond for misprison of a felony or withholding information about the shooting and robbery.

In court documents, police said a cell phone found near the victim's bodies that belonged to Crockett contained text messages discussing a meth deal with Habben.

Documents say Zephier, LeClaire and Frias then left to case the location where they planned to rob Crockett. At some point in the 5:30 a.m. incident, the robbery went wrong, and police were told Crockett was being held up by Zephier when Crockett grabbed his gun from his waistband and shot Zephier. Frias then shot Crockett, said the documents.